Media Careers: Options, Job Titles, and Descriptions

You might think of “media” as another word for TV (or TV and radio) journalism. And while that’s what some people mean when they use the term, there’s a bit more to it. Media, the plural form of the word medium, refers to anything that passes along information.

Careers in Media

Television is a medium, as is radio, a newspaper, a movie, and the internet. If you have a job in media, you work in a field that revolves around managing mediums that pass along relevant information to those who want it.

Media jobs include local news anchors, Hollywood film directors, and everything in between. What they have in common is that they communicate information to the public. There are many different options out there if you're interested in a career in media.

Types of Media Jobs

There is such a wide variety of media jobs that someone can be an expert in one field and not even know another exists. Media professionals typically remain in one medium. For example, you might begin as a movie actor or a camera operator and eventually become a film director.

However, it is possible to move between media in similar positions; and many media experts have done this well. For example, a newspaper columnist might switch to writing a book, and then write and host a television program.

Or more commonly, an expert in a traditional field (such as radio) might transition into digital media (such as podcasts and webinars).

Writing and Editing

Writing is a broad category in media, stretching from journalism (see below) to content marketing and filmmaking. Each of those writers typically has an editor whose job it is to ensure that the written piece meets the standards set by the publication or program leadership.

Editors within the writing profession are language and proofreading experts. They have the leadership skills to manage a writing staff as well as maintain awareness of what the readers want.

There is also another type of editor whose responsibility is not for the individual document but for the publication as a whole. These include managing editors, acquisition editors, and features editors.

Here's information on writing and editing jobs.

• Assistant Editor
• Author
• Biographer
• Communication Specialist
• Communications Director
• Communications Manager
• Content Engineer
• Content Manager
• Copy Editor
• Copy Writer
• Digital Media Specialist
• Editor
• Editorial Assistant
• Ghost Writer
• Managing Editor
• Section Editor
• Social Media Specialist
• Technical Writer
• Writer

Journalism

Journalism refers to any form of investigative reporting in any medium, whether print, online, television, or radio. While most often associated with the news, documentary filmmaking is another powerful form of journalism. Journalists perform in-depth research (even embedding in order to glean knowledge through experience) on current issues and events to share their findings with their audience.

Positions in journalism include news anchors, sports announcers, news correspondents, newspaper columnists, investigative reporters, editors, documentary filmmakers, and science writers.

Other types of jobs, such as video editors or print production planners, are also critical to journalism, but these positions are not restricted to journalism.

• Announcer
• Broadcast News Analyst
• Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician
• Broadcaster
• Journalist
• News Analyst
• Reporter
• Television Announcer

Producing and the Production Team

Producers are responsible for the overall performance associated with a show or film. Producers manage radio stories, podcasts, TV episodes, or movies. In a large production, like a movie, the producer may be coordinating the activities of hundreds and thousands of people. The producer of a five-minute radio spot might be the writer, announcer/actor, and editor all in one.

For a production team, duties could be leadership teams, assistants, technicians, runners, researchers, managers, and more.

• Administrative Assistant
• Animator
• Associate Producer
• Audio and Video Equipment Technician
• Camera Operator
• Line Producer
• Motion Picture Set Worker
• Photo Editor
• Photographer
• Producer
• Production Artist
• Production Assistant
• Production Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Project Manager
• Proofreader
• Radio Operator
• Recording Engineer
• Sound Mixer
• Stage Hand
• Technical Producer
• Videographer

Advertising and Marketing

Advertising and marketing jobs can be very lucrative. If you work as an advertising salesperson or account manager, you are most likely responsible for selling ad space. Advertisements often form a significant source of income for a particular medium. Income-generating ads are commercials, space in a magazine or website, and billboards.

Account managers confirm reserved ad space, handle the copy (ad artwork and message), and ensure that a client's ads run when and where they should. Ad sales and account manager roles often work on commission, and ambitious media ad specialists can earn a high income.

• Account Executive
• Art Director
• Creative Director
• Creative Project Manager
• Designer
• Graphic Artist
• Graphic Designer
• Marketing Assistant
• Media Director
• Media Planner
• Media Product Development Manager
• Media Specialist
• Merchandising Manager
• Multimedia Designer
• Multimedia Services Manager
• Multimedia Specialist
• Promotions Specialist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Publicist

E-Commerce and Communications Technologies

IT specialists, technicians, and web designers are essential for constructing sophisticated, web-based media and e-commerce technologies. Working behind the scenes, they make sure that internet web service projects launch on time, then monitor the project for any bugs or maintenance issues.

• Electronic Data Interchange Specialist
• Electronic Marketing Manager
• Graphical User Interface (GUI) Programmer
• Graphic/Web Designer
• Interface Designer
• Intranet Applications Manager
• Intranet Applications Specialist
• Java Developer
• Media and Communication Equipment Operator
• Network Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Telecommunications Technician
• Web Content Executive
• Web Customer Support Specialist
• Web Designer
• Web Product Manager
• Web Systems Director